After a confirmed case of community spread in New York neighborhood, area schools opt to close in an effort to spare students the coronavirus.
The case of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, is that of a parent whose child attends one of the schools. Modern Orthodox Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy in Riverdale announced its closure on Monday. Following suit, the Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck and the Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains also closed in response.
Meanwhile, the gentleman marking the first known case of community spread in New York transferred hospitals. First, he received treatment at Lawrence Hospital. Though, as his condition worsened, staff transferred him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital where he remains in critical condition.
Addressing concerns, Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters the patient suffers from “underlying respiratory illness”. The coronavirus occasionally leads to potentially fatal pneumonia in susceptible patients. However, many go without symptoms, complicating tracking and containment of the coronavirus.
In addition to the man in Westchester, a pair of families in Buffalo remain in isolation as officials test them. They recently returned from Italy, a country with a higher case number than others.
Global Response to Coronavirus
Presently, the United States has 108 cases of COVID-19 nationwide. 6 US citizens died as a result of the virus.
In China, where it originated, over 80,000 cases have been confirmed. Of those, 2,945 died. However, while 6,806 cases remain critical, over 47,000 made recoveries.
As the virus proliferates across the globe, fears spark market uncertainty, leading to dropoffs in recent days.
Vice President Mike Pence oversees the federal government’s response, which so far includes a delayed order of testing kits and forcing health officials to submit all public statements for approval.
They insist the threat remains low. Though the World Health Organization’s Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated the world enters “uncharted waters.” However, he also stressed aggressive action could contain it.
Health officials recommend regular and thorough hand washing and avoiding touching the face.
